Submitted as: model evaluation paper 09 Jun 2020
Submitted as: model evaluation paper | 09 Jun 2020
Using SHAP to interpret XGBoost predictions of grassland degradation in Xilingol, China
- 1Department of Geography, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
- 2Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
- 3Integrative Research Institute on Transformations of Human-Environment Systems, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Friedrichstraße 191, 10099 Berlin, Germany
- 1Department of Geography, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
- 2Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
- 3Integrative Research Institute on Transformations of Human-Environment Systems, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Friedrichstraße 191, 10099 Berlin, Germany
Abstract. Machine learning (ML) and data-driven approaches are increasingly used in many research areas. XGBoost is a tree boosting method that has evolved into a state-of-the-art approach for many ML challenges. However, it has rarely been used in simulations of land use change so far. Xilingol, a typical region for research on serious grassland degradation and its drivers, was selected as a case study to test whether XGBoost can provide alternative insights that conventional land-use models are unable to generate. A set of twenty drivers was analysed using XGBoost, involving four alternative sampling strategies, and SHAP to interpret the results of the purely data-driven approach. The results indicated that, with three of the sampling strategies (over-balanced, balanced and imbalanced), XGBoost achieved similar and robust simulation results. SHAP values were useful for analysing the complex relationship between the different drivers of grassland degradation. Four drivers accounted for 99 % of the grassland degradation dynamics in Xilingol. These four drivers were spatially allocated, and a risk map of further degradation was produced. The limitations of using XGBoost to predict future land-use change are discussed.
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Batunacun et al.


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SC1: 'executive editor comment on gmd-2020-59', Astrid Kerkweg, 22 Jun 2020
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SC2: 'Python script DOI', Batunacun Ba, 22 Jul 2020
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SC2: 'Python script DOI', Batunacun Ba, 22 Jul 2020
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RC1: 'Review Report RN1', Anonymous Referee #1, 14 Jul 2020
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SC3: 'Response to comments', Batunacun Ba, 06 Aug 2020
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RC2: 'Can you share the updated manuscript?', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Aug 2020
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AC2: 'Share the final manuscript', Batunacun Ba, 26 Oct 2020
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AC2: 'Share the final manuscript', Batunacun Ba, 26 Oct 2020
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RC2: 'Can you share the updated manuscript?', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Aug 2020
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SC3: 'Response to comments', Batunacun Ba, 06 Aug 2020
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RC3: 'Review of gmd-2020-59', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Sep 2020
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AC1: 'Response to comments', Batunacun Ba, 26 Oct 2020
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AC1: 'Response to comments', Batunacun Ba, 26 Oct 2020


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SC1: 'executive editor comment on gmd-2020-59', Astrid Kerkweg, 22 Jun 2020
-
SC2: 'Python script DOI', Batunacun Ba, 22 Jul 2020
-
SC2: 'Python script DOI', Batunacun Ba, 22 Jul 2020
-
RC1: 'Review Report RN1', Anonymous Referee #1, 14 Jul 2020
-
SC3: 'Response to comments', Batunacun Ba, 06 Aug 2020
-
RC2: 'Can you share the updated manuscript?', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Aug 2020
-
AC2: 'Share the final manuscript', Batunacun Ba, 26 Oct 2020
-
AC2: 'Share the final manuscript', Batunacun Ba, 26 Oct 2020
-
RC2: 'Can you share the updated manuscript?', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Aug 2020
-
SC3: 'Response to comments', Batunacun Ba, 06 Aug 2020
-
RC3: 'Review of gmd-2020-59', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Sep 2020
-
AC1: 'Response to comments', Batunacun Ba, 26 Oct 2020
-
AC1: 'Response to comments', Batunacun Ba, 26 Oct 2020
Batunacun et al.
Batunacun et al.
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